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In Honor of Sunshine Week – ACLU of Rhode Island Victories in Support of Open Government

Posted: March 13, 2017|

The government – at the local, state and federal levels – works for the people. As such, we have a right to know what our officials are up to. In celebration of Sunshine week, let’s ignore (for a brief moment) the cloud of secrecy and obfuscation that currently follows our federal administration, and take a look at a few local victories for open government.

· 1988: Injured Workers of Rhode Island v. Rotondi. Favorable settlement for a public interest group that was initially denied the right to take notes at Workers’ Compensation hearings. (See also worker’s rights.)

· 2010: RI NOW v. Wall. Favorably settled open records lawsuit against the Department of Corrections for refusing to disclose policies on the use of restraints on pregnant prisoners. (See also women’s rights.)